Abstract
BackgroundAn assessment on the management practices and uses of Ficus thonningii tree by smallholder farmers’ was carried from December 2014 to March 2015 to evaluate the status of tree management, utilization as livestock feed and identify major production and utilization constraints. Three districts were purposely selected based on abundance of the tree from northwestern Ethiopia, and from each district, three peasant associations (smallest administrative unit) were selected purposely based on the abundance of F. thonningii availability and farmers’ utilization practices. The methodology of the study encompasses questionnaire, group discussion, key informant interview and secondary data sources. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were employed to present the quantitative and qualitative variables obtained from the survey.ResultsThe result indicated in all districts, livestock feed shortage during dry season was a critical problem. The ownership of F. thonningii tree indicated nonsignificant (P > 0.05) difference among the study districts. The types of livestock species reported feeding F. thonningii were cattle (54.2%), sheep (24.1%) and goats (21.7%) in all study districts. Among the parts of the tree used as feed, leaves in fresh form were used as dry season supplement to the livestock. The majority of respondents in the study districts reported to have accustomed practicing feeding F. thonningii leaves in the fresh from, followed by wilting and both fresh and wilting. Of the constraints of farmers in the study districts in using F. thonningii as feed for livestock were lack of training (51%), followed by land shortage (31%) and labor scarcity (18%).ConclusionsThis preliminary assessment indicated that the tree has valuable benefit to mitigate critical livestock feed scarcity in the dry season; farmers do have many constraints in its fullest utilization. Hence, to exploit the potential of F. thonningii as livestock fodder in northwestern Ethiopia, smallholder farmers should get training on production and utilization of the fodder tree.
Highlights
Livestock production is an integral part of the livelihood of the household level and contributes significantly to the national economy of Ethiopia [1, 2]
F. thonningii tree is widely distributed in northwestern Ethiopia used as dry season feed supplement for ruminant livestock
Ficus thonningii is found naturally as dry season fodder to be used by smallholder farmers for ruminant livestock
Summary
Livestock production is an integral part of the livelihood of the household level and contributes significantly to the national economy of Ethiopia [1, 2]. Low. Asmare and Mekuriaw Agric & Food Secur (2019) 8:9 residues with available technology in the tropics are of paramount importance. Asmare and Mekuriaw Agric & Food Secur (2019) 8:9 residues with available technology in the tropics are of paramount importance Multipurpose fodder trees, such as F. thonningii tree, offer a good opportunity to integrate livestock and crop production while optimizing the returns to input in Ethiopia [5]. F. thonningii tree is widely distributed in northwestern Ethiopia used as dry season feed supplement for ruminant livestock. There are no studies conducted on its role as feed supplement in ruminant nutrition especially in integration of multipurpose trees with crop livestock systems in Ethiopia. The objective of this research was to assess farmers indigenous practices of F. thonningii production, management and utilization for livestock feed in northwestern Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were employed to present the quantitative and qualitative variables obtained from the survey
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